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Entry & Shipping FAQ

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

  • Overview of judging process and entry categories
  • Explanation of points system, medal and trophy guidelines
  • Entry, payment and shipping FAQs

1. How does the HKIWSC judging work?

  • Judging integrity is at the heart of the competition. Only HKIWSC employees are permitted in the preparation area
  • The wines are presented to the judges in a tasting glass with a tasting sheet indicating the tasting category (wine style, grape variety, region/appellation and vintage). At no time does a judge see the bottle.
  • Samples are assessed without comment. Marks are recorded and collected by the panel chairs who may then open discussions in respect to the judges’ comments/scores
  • Products with the highest marks go forward for re-tasting by judges for the Trophy medal in their respective categories

Click here to read more about HKIWSC works

2. What are the “style categories” that the products are judged by?

  • The style categories are the actual “tasting categories” that are presented to the judges. These can change depending on the variety of entries
  • The style categories for Wine include the following: wine style, grape variety, region/appellation/vintage/age
  • The style categories for Spirits are type, age and strength. Whiskies are also judged by variety / style judged by region, style and cask finish / strength <Click here to read more about HKIWSC works>

Click here to read more about HKIWSC works

3. How does the award system work?

Scores are given out of a total possible score of 100 and are calculated and audited within the framework of a strict marking system.

2017-Trophy.pngThe Top Scorers are re-tasted to determine 'Best in class' Quality of the highest order
2017-Gold.png

Score of 90+
Outstanding example; the benchmark

2017-Silver.pngScore of 80+
Fine example, excellent quality
2017-Bronze.pngScore of 75+
Good example, well above average

4. What types of trophies are awarded?

  • The trophies represent the “best in class” in a given category
  • There are over 40 different wine trophies awarded each year and they recognise excellence in: grape variety, style, country/region, price point, and food & wine matching
  • Spirits trophies recognise the best spirits including Cognac, Gin, Grape Brandy, Grappa, Liqueurs, Rum, Sake, Shochu, Vodka, and Whisky.

Click here to visit last year’s Trophies page for full details

5. Who are the competition judges?

  • The competition is judged by some of the most well-known and respected names in Asia, including Asian Masters of Wine, sommeliers, wine and spirit trade professionals, media, knowledge and opinion leaders, educators and influencers
  • Apart from the International VIP Wine and Spirit judges, the judging panel come from across Asia in keeping with the competition’s theme – “Asia's Choice, Asia's Voice”

Click here for more details on our judges this year

6. How do I stand to benefit if my product is awarded a medal?

Click here for details on the benefits to HKIWSC winners

 

 

 

ENTRY AND SHIPPING

1. How can I enter the competition and what is the deadline for my entry/ies?

  • Please register for an account and submit your entry/ies through the HKIWSC website, by clicking ‘Enter Now’ on the home page Click here for 'Entre Now'
  • If you have 50 or more entries to submit, please email us at hkinfo@iwscgroup.com to request an entry form
  • The entry deadlines are: 21 August for Spirits and 28 August for Wine

Click here for more on How to Enter

2. What happens if I miss the entry deadline for the competition?

  • Please contact our team on T +852 6492 7214 or E hkinfo@iwscgroup.com

3. What is the fee for entering the competition?

  • Standard Entry Fee: HKD 1750 / USD 225
  • Food & Wine Pairing (per dish) - HKD 550 / USD 70
  • For exhibitors at the HKTDC International Wine & Spirit Fair in November: HKD 1100 / USD 140

Customs Duty: Entrants are responsible for full payment of customs duty on products with an alcohol content of 30% and over.

4. How many samples for each entry do I need to send?

Wine entries: 3 bottles per entry

Spirit entries: 2 bottles per entry

Food & Wine Pairing entries: Please send an additional;

  • 1 bottle for pairing with up to 2 dishes
  • 2 bottles for pairing with 3 to 5 dishes
  • 3 bottles for pairing with 6 to 12 dishes

5. Why do we need to send 3 bottles for wine entries and 2 bottles for spirit entries?

  • Wine: The first bottle is for the initial round of judging. The second bottle is for a second round of judging if the product goes forward to a trophy. The third bottle is a contingency in case a bottle is faulty or damaged in transit.
  • Spirit: The first bottle is for the initial round of judging and second round if the product goes forward for a trophy. The second bottle is a contingency in case a bottle is damaged in transit.

Note: All unused bottles are used at tastings at fairs and consumer, trade and media events all year round for added exposure for entrants.

6. Do I need to pay customs duty on my wine/spirit samples?

Entrants are responsible for paying customs duty on their entries. Please see below for details on dutiable liquor:

 Duty Payable by Entrant (at % of Product Value)
Liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 30% by volume, at a temperature of 20 degrees celsius100%
Liquor, other than wine, with an alcoholic strength of less than 30% by volume, at a temperature of 20 degrees celsius0%
Wine0%

For details on the calculation of duty tax payable please go to http://www.customs.gov.hk/en/faqs/trade_facilitation/dutiable/calculation/index.html

Click here for more on shipping details

7. What method of payment can I use to enter the competition?

  • By Credit Card online once you have completed your entry• By Bank Transfer: You will be able to request an invoice online. Please note an administrative fee of HKD 100 / USD 15 will be applied (as well as any
  • By Bank Transfer: You will be able to request an invoice online to pay by bank transfer. Please note an administrative fee of HKD 380 / USD 49 will be applied to cover admin and bank charges.

If you experience any difficulties, please contact us at hkinfo@iwscgroup.com

8. Where do I get details on shipping my samples to Hong Kong? 

Click here for full shipping details

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